Hip & Knee Joint Denervation
The answer to knee and hip pain is not always surgery. Find out about our Joint Denervation Program here!
The hip and knee joints are called "synovial joints". In this type of joints, bones are separated by a fluid-filled joint cavity encased in an articular capsule, lined by a synovial membrane, and capped with hyaline articular cartilage.
In arthritis, the smooth cartilage that allows a person to move the joints pain-free, gradually wears down. Over time, there can be joint inflammation. The joint space narrows, bone may rub on bone and bone spurs can form.
In the hip, this often causes groin, buttock or thigh pain and stiffness, especially when getting up from a chair or walking longer distances. In the knee, arthritis typically causes pain around the joint line, swelling, stiffness and grinding or catching with movement.
These joints are richly supplied by sensory nerves that carry pain signals to the brain. Many of these are small branches called genicular nerves. These nerves act like “wires” carrying pain information from the arthritic knee into the brain. Genicular radiofrequency ablation (RFA) targets selected genicular nerves to interrupt these pain signals, which can reduce hip and knee pain from arthritis without changing the structure of the joint itself.
Who May Benefit?
Hip & Knee Pain
Hip & Knee Joint Denervation
Chronic hip and knee pain can significantly alter your quality of life, making simple activities like walking or climbing stairs a challenge. While total joint replacement surgery is a highly successful surgery, it is not always recommended everyone - for example:
1. Young or highly active patients - accelerated rate of implant wear and premature need for revision joint replacement
2. Arthritis not severe enough on X-rays
3. Medical comorbidities - eg. High risk for surgery, severe peripheral arterial disease
Joint denervation (knee and hip joint radiofrequency ablation in Singapore) is a bridge between conservative care and surgery. In this procedure, a specialized needle is inserted next to the nerves supplying the knee or hip joint. This is done under image guidance (either ultrasound or X-rays) and under sedation. The needle tip is then heated to about 60 to 80 degrees celsius to deactivate the nerves. This results in reduced pain signals travelling from the arthritic joint into the brain.
Hip and Knee Joint Denervation Procedure - What to expect
Before the Procedure
Preparation is simple and focused on your comfort. You will be asked to fast for a few hours. Our team will review your health history and ensure you feel relaxed and informed every step of the way.
During the Nerve Ablation of Knee and Hip Pain
Under sedation and guided by advanced imaging for precision, needles is placed adjacent to the sensory nerves. The needle tip is then heated to ablate the nerves. The whole procedure takes about 30min to 1 hour, depending on how many nerves are targeted
Recovery after joint radiofrequency ablation
Recovery is typically quick. Most patients return home the same day with minimal discomfort. You may notice an initial improvement within days, with peak pain relief developing as the nerves settle over the following weeks.
Pricing & Insurance Coverage
The cost of Hip and Knee denervation in Singapore is based on MOH Fee benchmarks and the facility where the procedure is performed. Knee and Hip Joint RFA is covered by the four Integrated Shield (IP) plans in Singapore and most corporate insurances, ensuring high-quality specialized care remains accessible for our patients.
Hip & Knee Assessment with Dr Christopher Liu
Dr Christopher Liu is a pain management doctor for hip and knee pain Singapore. He offers expert assessment and minimally invasive hip and knee procedures, such as image-guided joint / tendon injections and joint denervation (joint RFA) where appropriate. Every patient receives a personalized plan tailored to their specific condition.
Contact us directly at +65 86555722